DOCSLIB.ORG

Connacht Tribune by Tim Ryan, Oireachtas Correspondent Serious

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Connacht Tribune by Tim Ryan, Oireachtas Correspondent Serious Connacht Tribune By Tim Ryan, Oireachtas Correspondent Serious concern about future of Apple Plant in Athenry There is a serious worry that a second Apple plant to be built in Denmark could be a replacement for the plant planned for Athnery which has been mired with planning delays, Galway Independent Deputy Noel Grealish told the Dáil. On 23 February 2015, he said Apple announced to major fanfare its biggest project in Europe to date, a €1.7 billion investment in two data centres to be located in Athenry, Galway, as well as in Denmark. It had plans to create hundreds of local jobs in construction and operations, providing amenities for local schools and residents, as well as running the plants on clean and renewable energy from the outset. “Nearly three years on, the plant in Denmark is set to be up and running before the end of the year, as per Apple's projected schedule, while the plant in Athenry has not even secured full planning permission yet,” he said. Apple, he said, announced last month new plans to build a second data centre in Denmark at a cost of more than €800 million, which will also run entirely on renewable energy. Apple considered 19 countries before settling in Ireland for one of the data centres and there was great excitement about job creation possibilities, opportunities for small, local businesses and communities, as well as the spin-off benefit of other multinational companies coming to Ireland on the back of such a successful global company choosing Ireland as its base. “There is a bigger underlying issue of concern as Ireland is sending a signal to other large multinational companies looking for a European base that planning in Ireland can be mired in delays, with large infrastructural projects being held up for years on the back of minor objections,” he said. “The fear is that any multinational company examining Apple's experience in Galway may not consider Ireland.” In reply, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he met the vice-president of Apple approximately two weeks ago. “We discussed Athenry,” he said. “She reaffirmed Apple's commitment to going ahead with the project. Notwithstanding that another data centre is going ahead in Denmark, provided planning permission is granted Apple remains committed to the Athenry project, which I very much welcome. However, the Apple representatives made it very clear to me that they are frustrated at the planning and judicial delays and while that will not affect this project it will colour decisions that they might make about future investments and, therefore, I share the Deputy's concerns in that regard.” He said the Government is considering a change to the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act to include data centres as strategic infrastructure, thus allowing them to get through the planning process much more quickly. 15,000 people in Galway city waiting for a house since 2001 In Galway city, approximately 15,000 people have been waiting for a house since 2001, Independent Deputy Catherine Connolly told the Dáil. The crisis has been deliberately created, she claimed. “In Galway city, rent is 213% more than rent supplement or HAP,” she said. “Crisis after crisis has come from an ideology that said the market will provide, but it has signally failed to provide. If the Minister (Eoghan Murphy) is telling me tonight that he is leaving ideology at the door, I welcome it. If he is telling me that he has suddenly realised a fundamental solution to this problem is the direct construction of social housing, I will be the first to praise him and champion that.” Eighty-one countries have enshrined the protection of housing or a home in their constitutions but not Ireland, she said. “Included in that number are Belgium, Finland, Greece, The Netherlands and Portugal,” she said. “Other countries that have protected it in legislation include Austria, France, Germany and Luxembourg. Significantly, none of these countries has a housing crisis. The Minister might look at that.” The Simon Community gives us a snapshot of the result of this crisis, she said. In August of this year, over three days it examined 11 areas in the country only to find that 91% of rental properties were unavailable to those in receipt of rent supplement or the housing assistance payment, HAP, which is “the only show in town” certainly in Galway city. Kyne assigned new responsibilities Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that from 19 September last the Government had appointed Deputy Seán Kyne to be Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment with special responsibility for community, natural resources and digital development. This, he said, was a technical reassignment following changes to departmental structures arising from the establishment of the new Department of Rural and Community Development. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Independent Alliance
    Independent Alliance Breda Burke Committee on Procedure and Privileges Standing sub-Committee on Dail Reform Dail Eireann Leinster House Dublin 2 1 16 h March 2016 Dear Breda, As instructed, please now find below the submissions for Dail reform, as proposed by the members of the Independent Alliance. Dail Reform The Independent Alliance is committed to fundamental Dail Reform. We are seeking that power be decentralised. Following the election, we believe there is a unique opportunity to return power to the Dail and reduce the power of the government. We believe the following measures are imperative for true Dail reform; a. The Independent Alliance will not be imposing any party whip, except on votes of confidence. This automatically rebalances power in favour of the Dail, against the cabinet. We would welcome a reciprocal gesture from other parties. If this is not possible for them on all aspects of Dail votes, perhaps parties might commit to removing the whip for certain topics? b. We believe the Taoiseach's prerogative on when to call a general election can be abused and manipulated to suit the Taoiseach of the day and their party, as opposed to acting in the country's best interest. For that reason, we want to remove this unique power and create stability and certainty for the lifetime of a government, thus increasing the work rate. For that reason we propose that Ireland follow the example of many other countries and introduce fixed terms for the Dail. There would of course be provision for an impromptu election if the Taoiseach fails to retain the support or confidence of a majority of the Dail.
    [Show full text]
  • CULTURAL and EDUCATIONAL PANEL (A) Provisional Nominating Bodies Sub-Panel
    SEANAD GENERAL ELECTION _________________ APRIL, 2016 _________________ PANELS OF CANDIDATES PREPARED BY THE SEANAD RETURNING OFFICER ACT, 1947, AS AMENDED BY THE SEANAD ELECTORAL (PANEL MEMBERS) ACT, 1954. CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PANEL (a) Provisional Nominating Bodies Sub-Panel Name Address Description Qualifications of candidate for inclusion in the Name of body by whom Candidate was Panel as determined by the Seanad nominated Returning Officer Brabazon, Tom 75 Lóiste Mhic Reachtain, Baile Comhairleoir Cathrach, Conradh Na Gaeilge Átha Cliath 13 Aturnae Burke, Deirdre Orchard House, Templelyon, Solicitor The Law Society of Ireland Redcross, Co. Wicklow Carey, Declan 116 The Strand, Donabate, Co. Mental Health Social Worker Dental Council Dublin Collins, Michael Ballinvallig, Newcastle West, Public Representative, Theatre Forum Limited Co. Limerick Musician, Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann Connolly, John 12 Gort na Bró, Millers Lane, Primary School Teacher Irish National Teachers’ Organisation Rahoon, Galway Conway, Joe ‘An Druimín’, Roselawn, College Tutor, Public Aontas Múinteoirí Éireann/Teachers’ Union of Tramore, Co. Waterford Representative Ireland Crowley, Liam Killorglin, Co. Kerry Solicitor The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland D’Arcy, Jim 12 Sandygrove Close, Senator Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Blackrock, Dundalk, Co. Louth Finucane, Jim 3 Cloondara, Tralee, Co. Kerry Member of Kerry ETB Education and Training Boards Ireland Howard, Mary Claureen House, Ennis, Co. Member of Clare County The Drama League of Ireland Clare
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to the 30 Dáil for Anti-Poverty Groups
    European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland Guide to the 30th Dáil for Anti-Poverty Groups ‘EAPN Ireland is a network of groups and individuals working against poverty and social exclusion. Our objective is to put the fight against poverty at the top of the European and Irish agendas’ Contents Page Acknowledgements 2 Introduction 2 The Parties 4 Dáil Session Guide 5 A Brief Guide to Legislation 7 Dáil Committees 9 The TD in the Dáil 9 Contacting a TD 12 APPENDICES 1: List of Committees and Spokespersons 2: Government Ministers and Party Spokespersons 1 Introduction This Guide has been produced by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland. It is intended as a short briefing on the functioning of the Dáil and a simple explanation of specific areas that may be of interest to people operating in the community/NGO sector in attempting to make the best use of the Dáil. This briefing document is produced as a result of the EAPN Focus on Poverty in Ireland project, which started in December 2006. This project aimed to raise awareness of poverty and put poverty reduction at the top of the political agenda, while also promoting understanding and involvement in the social inclusion process among people experiencing poverty. This Guide is intended as an accompanying document to the EAPN Guide to Understanding and Engaging with the European Union. The overall aim in producing these two guides is to inform people working in the community and voluntary sector of how to engage with the Irish Parliament and the European Union in influencing policy and voicing their concerns about poverty and social inclusion issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Representations Received by the Chairman's Office from Public
    Representations received by the Chairman’s Office from Public Representatives in 2020 On behalf of a Name General Issue Grand Total person Aidan Davitt 2 4 6 Aindrias Moynihan 0 20 20 Alan Hayes 1 0 1 Alan Kelly 0 2 2 Anne Rabbitte 1 1 2 Barry Cowen 0 3 3 Bernard Durkan 0 2 2 Brendan Griffin 0 21 21 Brian Stanley 0 1 1 Cathal Crowe 1 7 8 Catherine Martin 0 1 1 Catherine Murphy 6 4 10 Charlie Flanagan 0 5 5 Charlie McConalogue 1 4 5 Christopher O’Sullivan 10 12 22 Cian O’Callaghan 1 0 1 Ciaran Cannon 0 6 6 Claire Kerrane 0 1 1 Colm Brophy 1 2 3 Colm Burke 0 1 1 Cormac Devlin 0 14 14 Dara Calleary 0 1 1 Dara Mulvey 0 1 1 Darragh O’Brien 1 15 16 David Norris 0 1 1 Denis Naughten 0 16 16 Denise Mitchell 0 1 1 Dessie Ellis 1 1 2 Eamon O Cuiv 0 3 3 Emer Higgins 1 0 1 Eoghan Murphy 0 1 1 Fergus O’Dowd 0 3 3 Finian McGrath 0 1 1 Francis Noel Duffy 0 1 1 Frank Feighan 0 12 12 Garrett Ahearn 1 1 2 Gerard Craughwell 0 1 1 Gino Kenny 0 1 1 Heather Humphreys 0 9 9 Helen McEntee 0 6 6 Hildegarde Naughten 1 3 4 Imelda Munster 0 2 2 Jack Chambers 0 2 2 1 On behalf of a Name General Issue Grand Total person Jackie Cahill 3 2 5 James Browne 0 6 6 James Lawless 1 11 12 James O’Connor 3 7 10 Jennifer Carroll MacNeill 2 0 2 Jennifer Murnane O’Connor 4 4 8 Jerry Buttimer 0 2 2 Jim Daly 1 1 2 Joe Carey 3 3 6 Joe Flaherty 0 8 8 Joe McHugh 1 4 5 Joe O’Brien 1 0 1 Joe O’Reilly 0 1 1 John Brady 0 1 1 John Brassill 0 1 1 John Cummins 1 0 1 John Lahart 2 3 5 John Lawless 0 2 2 John McGahon 1 3 4 John McGuinness 3 13 16 John Paul Phelan 1 4 5 Johnny Mythen 1 0 1 Josepha
    [Show full text]
  • The Inside Story of Enda Kenny's Desperate Fight for Place in History
    10 April 2016 Sunday Independent POLITICS 19 The inside story of Enda Kenny’s desperate fight for place in ryhisto HE former Fine Gael The Taoiseach went into TD, Denis Naught- his fateful meeting with en, of the so-called Rural Independ- Micheal Martin and set Tents, sat down to lunch with Enda Kenny last off an unexploded bomb, Thursday March 31: “Look,” writes Jody Corcoran said Naughten, “when you’re talking to Micheal Martin you might suggest a Fine Gael, were included, Fine Gael was with Fine Gael in opposition. Independents, Fianna Fail hopeful of the backing of Sean Fianna Fail had, and con- partnership government.” Canney and Kevin ‘Boxer’ Mo- tinues to have four of the five As a central figure in the ran, although neither of these Rural Independents — Noel painstaking negotiations be- men are over the line at that or Grealish, Mattie McGrath, tween the two Civil War po- this stage, far from it, indeed; Dr Michael Harty and Michael litical parties and an array of and even if one or other did Collins, and probably the fifth, Independents, Naughten had commit, Fine Gael would still Denis Naughten, if push came gathered from his contacts be one or two short — and that to shove; it also believes it that such a ‘partnership’ ar- was before the Healy-Raes took could turn Canney and ‘Boxer’ rangement might be a runner. their deeply personal decision. from Fine Gael, to add to Fini- So this was the moment, After lunch with Naughten, an McGrath and Shane Ross of then, on the last day in March, the acting Taoiseach reached the Independent Alliance.
    [Show full text]
  • Don't Tax Our Health Choices!
    DON’T TAX OUR HEALTH CHOICES! From March 1st 2019 the Government will be applying VAT at 23% to all Vitamin, Probiotic & Food Supplements. These supplements have been VAT free for the last 40 years! A2 POSTER CODE: VAT03 A4 POSTER CODE: VAT04 +23% Available from Wholefoods VAT HEALTH IS NOT A LUXURY! SIGN THE PETITION TODAY! @stopthisvat www.stopthisvat.ie What is happening: The Revenue Commissioners have decided that on March 1st 2019, 23% VAT will be applied to all health food supplements. This includes Vitamins, Probiotics and Fish Oil. What does this mean? On March 1st 2019, retailers must apply 23% VAT to all health food supplements, resulting in a 23% price increase for consumers. Such a sudden and radical increase in taxation will put a huge strain on consumers and cause many to have to reconsider their approach towards managing their health. This is bound to seriously damage the local Irish businesses that are the cornerstone of the industry sector, particularly if consumers turn to the international Internet to try and obtain a better priced product. What can I do: • Sign the petition (online and in-store) which can be found at www.stopthisvat.ie. • Additional petition hardcopies are available from Wholefoods Wholesale (product code: VAT02). Wholefoods drivers will happily take completed petitions back from you. Please ensure that all petitions are returned to Wholefoods by February 18th. • Actively encourage customers to sign the petition and highlight what VAT will mean for their purchases. • Email or write to your local minister or TD. Sample text can be found on page 3 of this document.
    [Show full text]
  • INFORMATION for REPUBLIC of IRELAND's Tds (Mps)
    12/4/2015 Gmail - INFORMATION FOR REPUBLIC OF IRELAND'S TDs (MPs) ... William Finnerty <[email protected]> INFORMATION FOR REPUBLIC OF IRELAND'S TDs (MPs) ... William Finnerty <[email protected]> Fri, Dec 4, 2015 at 4:05 PM To: "Members of the 31st Dail (Republic of Ireland Elected Representatives)" <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Member of Committee on Public Service Oversight Richard Boyd Barrett TD <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Republic of Ireland Minister for Social Protection and Deputy Prime Minister Joan Burton TD - Old Age Pension Claim No 69- 1962034S <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
    [Show full text]
  • Political Developments, 2019
    01 Political Developments.qxp_Admin 68-1 26/02/2020 13:07 Page 1 Administration, vol. 68, no. 1 (2020), pp. 1–13 doi: 10.2478/admin-2020-0001 Political developments, 2019 David Hugh Moore Department of Political Science, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland European Parliament election On 24 May 2019 Ireland voted in the ninth European Parliament elections. As a result of Brexit, the European Parliament was reorganised and the number of MEPs was reduced from 751 to 705. The twenty-seven remaining UK seats were reallocated to other member states. Ireland received an additional two seats, bringing the country’s total number of seats up to thirteen. The same constituencies as in 2014 were used with only minor border changes. Two constituencies received an additional MEP. Dublin moved from a three-seat to a four-seat constituency while Ireland South went from a four- to a five-seat constituency. The Midlands North-West constituency stayed the same with four seats. Given that the UK had not actually left the EU when the elections were held, the two additional MEPs were ineligible to take their seats until the UK had officially left the EU. In order to be eligible to compete in European elections, a prospective candidate must fulfil one of the following criteria: be nominated by a registered political party; have declarations from sixty people willing to support their candidacy; or pay a deposit of €1,800. These requirements are deemed relatively simple to meet and as such helped contribute towards a record number of candidates running for MEP in the state.
    [Show full text]
  • Euthanasia Pdf Itnewsdesk Cluskeythe
    THE IRISH TIMES Saturday,December 7,2019 13 Opinion&Analysis event will also signal the end of Micheál (while also serving Martin’s great project political issue. Just as they are about Inside Politics Martin’s self-declared obligations to of rehabilitating Fianna Fáil), and sus- health. Whatever about Opposition Varadkar. As such, the Taoiseach is tained it during the national peril of hyperventilating, they believe, most thereafter at the mercy of the Fianna Fáil Brexit, lately it has curdled into asullen voters know that houses can’t be built leader when it comes to the continuation lethargy, punctuated by three-way overnight and they also know –because of his administration. political rows frequently as spiteful as they they see them –that housebuilding is Pat And not just him. There is now avery are castrated of real potency. accelerating. Lurking behind this is the real question as to whether the Govern- If this Dáil was ever interested in Lately it has curdled into a unspoken appreciation that increases in ment can command aDáil majority –even constructively wielding the power that the house prices are not viewed by many if Fianna Fáil continues to abstain. The Government’s minority status gave it, it sullen lethargy, punctuated voters as an unalloyed evil, shall we say. Leahy three essential Independents on Tuesday no longer is: the debate on Tuesday was by three-way political rows More people (70-ish per cent) own their were Michael Lowry, Noel Grealish and dire, even by the standards of such things. frequently as spiteful as own homes than don’t, after all.
    [Show full text]
  • Potential Outcomes for the 2007 and 2011 Irish Elections Under a Different Electoral System
    Publicpolicy.ie Potential Outcomes for the 2007 and 2011 Irish elections under a different electoral system. A Submission to the Convention on the Constitution. Dr Adrian Kavanagh & Noel Whelan 1 Forward Publicpolicy.ie is an independent body that seeks to make it as easy as possible for interested citizens to understand the choices involved in addressing public policy issues and their implications. Our purpose is to carry out independent research to inform public policy choices, to communicate the results of that research effectively and to stimulate constructive discussion among policy makers, civil society and the general public. In that context we asked Dr Adrian Kavanagh and Noel Whelan to undertake this study of the possible outcomes of the 2007 and 2011 Irish Dail elections if those elections had been run under a different electoral system. We are conscious that this study is being published at a time of much media and academic comment about the need for political reform in Ireland and in particular for reform of the electoral system. While this debate is not new, it has developed a greater intensity in the recent years of political and economic volatility and in a context where many assess the weaknesses in our political system and our electoral system in particular as having contributed to our current crisis. Our wish is that this study will bring an important additional dimension to discussion of our electoral system and of potential alternatives. We hope it will enable members of the Convention on the Constitution and those participating in the wider debate to have a clearer picture of the potential impact which various systems might have on the shape of the Irish party system, the proportionality of representation, the stability of governments and the scale of swings between elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Dáil Éireann
    DÁIL ÉIREANN AN BILLE UM PLEANÁIL AGUS FORBAIRT (LEASÚ) (UIMH. 3), 2021 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 2021 LEASUITHE COISTE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS [No. 85a of 2021] [6 July, 2021] DÁIL ÉIREANN AN BILLE UM PLEANÁIL AGUS FORBAIRT (LEASÚ) (UIMH. 3), 2021 —AN COISTE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 2021 —COMMITTEE Leasuithe Amendments SECTION 2 1. In page 4, lines 9 to 23, to delete all words from and including “(1) Notwithstanding” in line 9 down to and including line 23. —Cian O'Callaghan, Eoin Ó Broin. 2. In page 4, line 23, after “area” to insert the following: “, and any such decision will require that not less than three-quarters of the members of the planning authority approve a resolution in regard of such an extension”. —Cian O'Callaghan, Eoin Ó Broin. 3. In page 4, line 31, to delete “simple majority” and substitute “not less than three quarters of the members of the planning authority”. —Cian O'Callaghan, Eoin Ó Broin. 4. In page 5, line 7, after “plan” to insert the following: “, and any such decision will require that not less than three-quarters of the members of the planning authority approve a resolution in regard of such an extension, and the cumulative effect of any extensions under this section shall not exceed one year”. —Cian O'Callaghan, Eoin Ó Broin. 5. In page 5, line 13, after “year” to insert “, in total over all extensions to the development plan”. —Cian O'Callaghan, Eoin Ó Broin. 6. In page 5, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: “(6A) All extensions proposed to a development plan under this section shall be subject to the requirements of section 11D.”.
    [Show full text]
  • Dáil Éireann
    THE ABORTION ACT: HOW THE TDS VOTED: DÁIL ÉIREANN THE LANDMARK BILL that will allow for abortion in Ireland passed the final Dáil vote on 12 July 2013 by 127 vote in favour (YES) to 31 votes against (NO). Fianna Fáil was the only party where members were allowed a free vote on the issue and 14 members voted against the bill. In total, 5 Fine Gael TDs voted against the change in legislation. 1 Sinn Féin member voted against the bill. 5 Independents voted against the bill for pro-life reasons. 6 independents voted against the bill because it ‘didn’t go far enough.’ VOTED IN FAVOUR OF THE LEGISLATION AND AGAINST THE RIGHT TO LIFE Adams, Gerry, SF Doherty, Pearse, SF Kelleher, Billy, FF Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín, SF Bannon, James, FG Doherty, Regina, FG Kelly, Alan, LP Ó Ríordáin, Aodhán, LP Barry, Tom, FG Donnelly, Stephen IND Kenny, Enda, FG Ó Snodaigh, Aengus, SF Breen, Pat, FG Donohoe, Paschal, FG Kenny, Seán, LP O’Brien, Jonathan, SF Bruton, Richard, FG Dooley, Timmy, FF Kyne, Seán, FG O’Donnell, Kieran, FG Burton, Joan, LP Dowds, Robert, LP Lawlor, Anthony, FG O’Donovan, Patrick, FG Butler, Ray, FG Doyle, Andrew, FG Lynch, Ciarán, LP O’Dowd, Fergus, FG Buttimer, Jerry, FG Durkan, Bernard J., FG Lynch, Kathleen, LP O’Mahony, John, FG Byrne, Catherine, FG Ellis, Dessie, SF Lyons, John, LP O’Reilly, Joe, FG Byrne, Eric, LP Engish, Damien, FG Mac Lochlainn, Pádraig, SF O’Sullivan, Jan, LP Cannon, Ciarán, FG Farrell, Alan, FG McCarthy, Michael, LP Penrose, Willie, LP Carey, Joe, FG Feighan, Frank, FG McDonald, MaryLou, SF Perry, John, FG Coffey,
    [Show full text]